Improved last



@other tstr getint @ffirr.

GEORGE M. WELLEOE LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN, ASSIGNOE TO MOSES D. WELLS, OEOHIOAGO, ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent No. 74,181, dated February 4, 1868.

IMPEOVED LAST.

TO ALL PERSONS TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. WELLS, of London, in the Kingdom of GreatBritain, have invented a new and useful Improvement 1n Lasts for Bootsor Shoes; and I do hereby declare the same to be fully described in the.following specification, and represented in the accompanying drawings,of whichl Figure 1 is a top view.

Figure 2, a side elevation.

Figure 3, a longitudinal section; and

Figure 4 a transverse section of a last provided with my invention.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction ot'iron ormetal lasts for boots and shoes, -whereby greater strength anddurability, with increased facility and ease in the use-and withdrawingthe last, are given, and provision is made for shapiugior forming thelegof the boot thereon.

l In carrying out this invention, it is proposed to construct the lastin two sections, each cut 'on corresponding lines, curves, or circles attheirjunction-surfaces, suchjuncton-lines or curves being either carriedentirely through the leg of the last or they may be diverted at anyangle therewith, either upward or downward, or carried oli' in a.horizontal direction at any convenient distance below the top of theleg, the leg being wholly or partly formed, as the ca-se may be, uponthe upper section of thelast. Male and female dove-tails are cast ormade on each of the junction-surfaces of the two sections of the lasts,respectively, so as to hold the parts securely together when adjusted.vA slot or opening is cast or made down the upper or leg portion ofthelast, into the lower section thereof, into which tits or is inserted thestandard which supports the last when in use, and thereby, in connectionwith the dove-tail, locks or holds the two portions of thc last securelytogether. Iff desired, the leg or upper portion of the last may becarried up suiciently far to form the standard itself', in which casethe two sections, when adjusted, are securely locked or held together byeither corresponding dovetails, dowels, studs, holes, or recesses castor made en thejunetion-surfaces of the two sections of the last.

I- am aware that lasts made either of wood or iron have .had their twosections united by dovctails, and therefore I do not claim such whenseparate from the keyholes or passages formed in such sectionsA forreception of a. key or standard, as set forth.

Having thus explained my said invention or improvement, what I claim assuch consists- In the improved last, as made, with its two sections orparts connected by dove-tails, and having a slot, opening, or hole madeand arranged in each, as explained, for. reception of a leg or standard,as described.

I also claim the combination of the key or standard with the two lastsectionsconnected by dove-tails and having slots or key-holes orpassages arranged in them, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE M. WELLS.

Witnesses;

' JOSHUA NUNN, Deputy Consul, Consulate United States of America,London.

F. W. FRIG'OM.

